A Story Not Yet Told...

One day I'll tell the great but sad story of a woman who came to the United States with her son, failed at her attempts at a life out of Mexico, returned to start a new family (virtually abandoning her first son) and letting him return on his own years later to fend for himself only to watch him also return. Stories like this are told over and over again, but this one has generations of twists and turns. In fact, this story can be rooted from a great-grandmother's point of view. That woman had her own set of problems and rebellious affairs that plotted the course for her own family and, in turn, would push that family towards unparalleled end as it attempted to capture itself before it destroyed itself as a whole. In all, it is a very tight family, but it is is also stained with madness, jealousy and contempt. Mexicans can be a intense bunch. I'm one of them, I know, and I fear that sometimes we take for granted the fact that this family truly does live long lives. Can one really hope that time will heal all wounds? This boy of hers has spent seven long years in Chicago trying to make it without papers or much of a cause. He was always very introverted and told to keep to himself. An only child growing up, he really was left to his own devices. His immediate family cares for him and of course misses him, but there was never any money to send either way and therefore life has just moved on. Now he's left without a job or drive to keep pushing along in a country that has not shown him opportunity. But this is a boy who needs opportunity to fall on his lap.

That is a way that does not compute Seven years ago, I moved to New York City to grow up. It's been a wonderful time and I couldn't take any single day back for the marvel and beauty of every opportunity I have either taken advantage of or let slip by. There's nothing wring with any of the decisions any of us make, but I was left soft-hearted and saddened to learn that this kid was broke this weekend as he spent one more weekend in the States (in New York City, finally, staying with us) before going home. His ambition is non-existent. A person like that just can't make it in this town, or even in this country without papers. But he never learned that, and I can't teach him that in four days.

My life continues at its pace...

I'm at JFK now relaxed, as I've been for the past couple of days due to good planning. Headed to Seattle to hang the the new photography exhibit Hidden Soul of Harmony, part of the kickoff to Allegro@20 for the Mark Morris Dance Group. I'm carrying with me a portion of the goods and therefore also checked my own bag so I'm light on the flight and feeling ready for action. I'm excited to report that a plan is forming for a road towards whatever comes next, and it feels right... Boarding Now... how exciting.


...One day, I'll put to text the story of that mother that came following the dreams of her aunts and uncles before her, one family member at a time trying to make something out of dreams. Some of those extentions of this family are living the American dream, some are finally building a future for their new families, others are still trying to overcome. He's on his way back now at 27, with a full future still ahead of him. If he returns a third time, I'm sure it won't be to stay. But I never thought he would really be happy here. In the end, even for those aunts and uncles with their own set of goals I imagine, It's just not home.